The M4 carbine has been around for a long time, and here are the 7 best M4 carbine optics you get buy now. These include red dot, prism scopes and holographic sights often used in real world applications.
M4 Carbine Red Dot Sights
Aimpoint Micro
Aimpoint Micro is the best M4 carbine red dot sight for almost any firearm platform you can think of. Its superior milspec grade durability, battery life, and accuracy makes it the top field grade red dot sight for M4 and M4A1 rifles
Built like a tank - 7075 T6 aluminum housing protects external and internal components to survive rough handling, physical abuse, explosion, sharp recoil and retain zero.
Accepts various mounts - Customize the mount the way you want with tons of aftermarket mount selections. Some are lightweight and some offer different mount heights to work with night vision goggle
2 MOA Dot - Aim precisely with a precise 2 MOA size aiming dot, just point and shot. In addition, a red dot magnifier can extend the range of this optic for mid range targets
Insane battery life - The sight is always ready, and the user doesn't have to switch out the battery at all for 4+ years.
Features:
- Magnification: 1X
- Eye Relief: Unlimited
- Reticle Type: 2 MOA Red Dot
- Turret : 0.5 MOA / Click
- Length: 3.1 inches
- Weight: 4.7 oz
Pros
- Milspec durability
- Lightweight setup
- For serious users
- Use as offset red dot
- Very long battery life
- The top of the line product
Cons
- Expensive without optic mount
Precise Aiming Reticle - Engage targets up to 200 yards with a fast to pick up 2 MOA dot
Always Ready & Always On - No fumbling with brightness dial before use. The sight stays on and runs on one single 3V type 2L76 or DL1/3N battery that lasts over 3 years.
Fire Proof - Survives any hash combat environment including burning fire
Aftermarket Mounts - Use any 30mm aftermarket mounts. Highly recommend LaRue QD mount and Scalarworks LEAP/02
Pros
- Always on
- Classic optic choice for M4
- Very durable for field use
- Very long battery life
- Best price
Cons
- Takes up too much field of view
- Lens tint could be lighter
Precise Aiming Reticle - Engage targets up to 200 yards with a 2 MOA dot, and turn on 65 MOA ring as the user wishes
Motion Activated - The sight turns off when sitting at idle to save significant amount of battery juice
Adjustable Settings - Adjust through 16 brightness settings to accommodate the many different daylight situation
Solar Panel - The solar panel keeps the optic running if the battery suddenly dies under daylight or artificial light
Pros
- Large FOV
- Lens hood protection
- Widened field of view without tunnel effect
- Auto shutoff saves battery juice
Cons
- Open emitter design
M4 Carbine Prism Sights
Trijicon ACOG 3.5X
The Trijicon 3.5X ACOG fixed powered prism sight is one of the best scopes for M4 rifles. It's built just like other ACOG scopes used in real world combat. The 3.5X model has much better eye relief distance for helmet wearing shooters than the old school Trijicon 4X
Shock-Resistant Internals - Holds zero from 22LR to .50BMG and everything in between. SCAR recoil force will NOT break the scope.
Improved Eye Relief - Back off from the scope without seeing scope shadows, and have room if wearing a helmet
Aftermarket Mounts - Use any aftermarket ACOG scope mount from Geissele Precision, American Defense, LaRue to maintain zero.
Non Battery Powered Reticle - Glass etched Chevron tip reticle provides a much more clear reticle than a red dot sight for precise shots, and the reticle stays on without battery power
Features:
- Magnification: 3.5X
- Objective Lens: 35mm
- Eye Relief: 2.4"
- Field Of View: 5.5°
- Reticle Type: 7.62mm BDC
- Turret : 0.33 MOA / Click
- Weight: 14 oz
Pros
- Reticle super crisp for shooters with astgimatism
- No battery required - always on
- Built-like-a-tank durability rating
- Best combat prism sight in the business
Cons
- Fiber optic may collect too much light to illuminate the reticle
The Primary Arm Slx 1X25mm prism scopes for M4 rifles. It's much more compact than the Trijicon ACOG for mid range use. The major feature of this sight is the bullet rise compensating optic sighting system already accounted for ranging and holdover
Etched ACSS Reticle - ACSS features finite aiming tip for the most precise aim than anything else
Super Compact Like A Red Dot Sight - Get 3X without increasing its size
Built In MOTAC - The scope will light up to the correct brightness setting with a shaking motion and turn off regarding the function of a timer.
No CQB Mechanical Offset Required - Already offset reticle hold for ranges of 5,10, and 15 yards (Just point and shoot) + sub tensions for 50 - 200 yards for 5.56 or 308
Field Grade Glass - Blade’s glass is fully multi-coated for maximum light transmission, anti-reflection, anti-fog, anti-scratch, and hydrophobic performance.
M4 Carbine Holographic Sight
EOTech EXPS3
Why pick EOTECH - This operator grade M4 sight for professional use. It's by far the best passive aiming optic for CQB and mid range applications
Unobstructed FOV - Easily acquire the target while shooting on the move, shooting over barricade and around corners.
CQB Holdover - Use the bottom of the 68 MOA ring for fast 7 yard close range holdover to compensate sight over bore offset. (Be sure to check out Vortex AMG reticle below)
Optimized Cheek Height - Built in 1/3 co-witness mount height for the shooter to cheek weld without pressing cheek into the stock.
Read Detailed EXPS3 Review Here
Features:
- Magnification: 1X
- Eye Relief: Unlimited
- Reticle Type: 2 MOA Red Dot
- Turret : 0.5 MOA / Click
- Length: 3.1 inches
- Weight: 4.7 oz
Pros
- Less lens glare under low light
- Great passive aiming
- Adjustable quick detach mount
- Additional lens hood protection
- Bottom 68 MOA reticle is great for CQB holdover
Cons
- Shorter battery than red dot
This is by far the best EOTECH holographic sight alternative, maybe the only best alternative sight for the M4 carbine. The Gen 2 model has improved the lens tint, window size and power source design without increasing its price tag.
Larger Viewing Window - Rear window is larger than Gen 1, and it provides the same aiming experience as the EOTECH
AMG CQB Reticle - Open section reticle is much better for visibility to avoid target obstruction down range.
No Glass Tint - Better clarity during day and night
NV Mode - Works with night vision goggles like the EOTECH EXPS3
Read UH1 Gen 2 Review Here
Pros
- Great passive aiming like EOTECH
- Completely new look on M4 carbine
- Adjustable quick detach mount
- A bit less cluttered reticle design than EOTECH
Cons
- No lens hood protection
- Short battery even with autoshut off feature